WHY CROSS CULTURAL TRAINING IS IMPORTANT

WHY CROSS CULTURAL TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL IN TODAY’S WORLD

In today’s world, conduction business internationally and sending your employees to different countries, may it be to station them there or just to negotiate a deal, without a proper Cross-Cultural Training, might turn out to be a recipe for disaster.

It is absolutely essential to know how to approach a business counterpart in lets say Italy or China, to achieve the desired results. Without knowing their different approach to business, how they conduct meetings or simply how they have dinner, you might suddenly be in the situation where you have offended someone and don’t even know why.

So let me explain some facts about Cross Cultural Training (CCT) and Cross Cultural Communication:

CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION – THE ORIGINS

The Cold War, the individual Eastern and Western Economies were largely self-contained because the world was polarized into two separate and competing powers. However, changes and advancements in economic relationships, political systems, and technological options began to break down old cultural barriers.

Business transformed from individual-country capitalism to global capitalism. Thus, the study of cross-cultural communication was originally found within businesses and governments both seeking to expand globally. 

Businesses began to offer language training to their employees. Businesses found that their employees were ill equipped for overseas work in the globalizing market and programs were developed to train employees to understand how to act when abroad.

 In 1974, the International Progress Organization, with the support of UNESCO and under the auspices of Senegalese President, held an international conference on "The Cultural Self-comprehension of Nations" which called upon United Nations member states "to organize systematic and global comparative research on the different cultures of the world" and "to make all possible efforts for a more intensive training of diplomats in the field of international cultural co-operation ... and to develop the cultural aspects of their foreign policy."

In the past decade, there has become an increasing pressure for universities and Companies across the world to incorporate intercultural and international understanding and knowledge into their education and training. International literacy and cross-cultural understanding have become critical to a country’s cultural, technological, economic, and political health. It has become essential for universities to educate, or more importantly, “transform”, to function effectively and comfortably in a world characterized by close; multi-faceted relationships and permeable borders.

DIFFERENT ASPECTS AND ASO TERRA LINGUAS BASIC MODULES

Misinterpretations and misconceptions are common when the same situation is viewed differently by people from different cultures. The basis of inter-cultural relations is not about changing other people, but adapting oneself to another culture. Today it is an integral part of BPO culture for those personnel who have to interact with overseas clients.

1. Country Briefing
This gives you a general insight in the respective country. Here Geographical location, Ethnic groups, Language(s), Religion(s) etc are explained.

2. Social Structure
Here you will be informed about the structure of the society, cultural differences and the community.

3. Lifestyle
This part covers typical foods, dressing, dining, social life etc.

4. Cultural Sensitivity
In this very important part you will learn about etiquette, protocol and communication styles.

5. Business Etiquette
Etiquette, manners, and cross cultural, or intercultural communication have become critical elements required for all International and Global Business executives, managers, and employees. As international, multinational, transnational, multi domestic, and global business continues to expand and bring people closer, the most important element of successful business outcomes may be the appreciation and respect for regional, country, and cultural differences - known as cultural diversity.

6. Local Usages
In this part of our training you will be given a brief introduction into the local language and its concept.

So what are you waiting for? Contact us directly for more details: info@asoterralingua.com